This week is national Cervical Cancer Awareness Week.
It's marked annually, with the hopes of informing people about screening and the importance of early detection.
Dr. Jennifer Jocko is a Sudburygynecologist with NEO Women’s Health Network that says cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Canadian women aged 20 through 40.
"Pap screening is typically done every three years, starting at the age of 21, until women hit the age of 69 or 70. After the age of 70, cervical screening stops." said Dr. Jocko.
Statistics show that 1,500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Canada each year, but health experts say those cases can be prevented.
"A lot of people put it off for too long. It really comes down to cervical cancer screening, being up-to-date with that, HPV vaccinations. The more catch up we do, the more the cancer rate will fall. In the northeast there are 60% of women here that have had screen eligible and are up-to-date with their cervical cancer screening. The provincial rate is about 63-64% and First Nations women fall far below that." said Dr. Jocko.
The Sudbury gynecologist says if there are any women who are unsure if they are up-to-date on their screening, she strongly recommends those individuals get in touch with their primary care provider as soon as possible.
